Now that the Islanders' future in New York seems secure -- the franchise announced on Wednesday a 25-year lease at Brooklyn's new Barclays Center beginning in 2015 -- Saffan wasn't changing his tune.

"Proximity-wise, it's about the same, though the (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) is a little more difficult than the (Long Island Expressway)," Saffan said.

"For all our Islanders employees and Sound Tigers employees, it's a huge relief. None of us wanted to see that franchise end up in Kansas City or Quebec City."

The Islanders' lease at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., runs through the 2014-15 season, and team owner Charles Wang said again Wednesday he plans to honor that lease.

A preseason game between the Islanders and New Jersey had been scheduled for the Barclays Center earlier this month, but that was canceled by the ongoing NHL lockout.

The Islanders, Saffan included, worked on several proposals for the Coliseum property and a renovated arena over the past decade. None won approval.

Reports over the years had the team looking at options in each of Long Island's four counties. They seem, finally, to have a long-term solution.

"For such a storied franchise to be able to stay in the New York metropolitan area, it's wonderful for all Islander fans, employees, sponsors and hockey fans," Saffan said. "To maintain the ongoing competition between the Rangers and Islanders, obviously in such close proximity, it's going to make that rivalry even more fun."